Content published in Illinois Farmer Today
As landowners consider a solar lease for their land, a key consideration is how it will impact your farming operation on adjacent parcels and after the project is finished. Ensuring that the solar project benefits the landowner and the community without impacting neighboring parcels is a priority. Trajectory Energy Partners is an Illinois-based solar development company with experience working with farm families on solar leases across the state.
Weed control
A good solar lease outlines who is responsible for maintaining the ground cover, both inside and outside the fence. The lease also determines how plantings across the leased area will be maintained. Trajectory also works with landowners to make sure they have access to any areas that aren’t in the solar project.
Drain tile
Maintaining a functioning drain tile system is important both for the solar farm and the neighboring properties. Under the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (AIMA) statute in Illinois, a drain tile survey must be completed prior to a project being constructed, and ensure that the system continues to work after construction.
Decommissioning
Trajectory’s solar leases make clear that the project will be removed after the lease is finished. Under the AIMA law in Illinois, a decommissioning plan must be completed and a bond put in place with the County prior to construction to ensure funds are available to remove the system. The plan includes removal of the system and returning the land back to agricultural use.
If you are interested in seeing if your land would work for a solar project, reach out to the Trajectory Energy Partners team at info@trajectoryenergy.com or visit our website at www.trajectoryenergy.com.